Know How / Environment Must reads Practical adviceSee all ARABLETips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farmHedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm. Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business… LIVESTOCKHow feeding methane inhibitors can help cut emissionsMethane inhibitors supplied in feed rations could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ruminants. However, no one size fits all, advises Annie Williams, ruminant nutritionist and… BUSINESSAlternative land uses: Woodland creation - key pointsFinancial support for woodland creation and management in England is at record levels, so it could be the right time to consider this as an option. Talk of reducing sheep… CARBONCarbon markets: A beginner's guideThe UK’s carbon markets are growing, but there is confusion around the principles. Farmers Weekly asks CLA adviser Matthew Doran how they work. See also: Mineral rights - what farmers… BUSINESSRural housing: Options to decarbonise and improve efficiencyFrom period farmhouses to farmworkers’ cottages, rural housing comes in many shapes and sizes, but they all share similar challenges when it comes to energy. Rural properties off the mains… ARABLEHow 'mega-cluster' project benefits farming and natureA project linking farmers and private investors across a 12,500ha area of Sussex is aiming to support nature recovery and food production on a landscape scale. The Weald to Waves… Case studiesSee all LIVESTOCKHow rotational hedge management is helping store more carbonHedgerows managed on a 12- to 15-year laying rotation store six times more carbon than those flailed annually, studies on a Cornish beef farm have shown. Overall carbon emissions at… LIVESTOCKHow a Portuguese green oasis inspired a move to agroforestryMike Adams had never seen the point in growing trees in fields. But visits to farms in southern Europe and Turkey proved transformational; he is now sold on their benefits… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTBenefits of sward lifting for profit and environmentA decade of sward lifting on a Cornish farm has prevented run-off after heavy rainfall, shortened the winter housing period and is helping soils to sequester carbon. A typical field… CARBONPioneering arable farm sells carbon credits to top F1 teamA pioneering arable farm in Leicestershire has become the first farm in the UK to sell measured carbon credits to a range of buyers on the open market, including the… CROP MANAGEMENTHow farmer uses biodynamic approach to establish cropsFor the past two decades, Wiltshire mixed farmer Richard Gantlett has been using the power of biodynamic farming to grow crops completely free of chemicals and without the plough. With… BIODIVERSITYWild grey partridge project promotes biodiversity and profitA decade-long wild grey partridge project establishing cover crop field margins at a Scottish farming estate has proved an effective way to promote biodiversity and reap an economic return. Balgonie… InsightsSee all WEED MANAGEMENTWhy propyzamide use in OSR and beans remains in the balanceDelivering best practice for successful weed control with propyzamide while preventing it from entering water courses and reservoirs remains a difficult balance. What’s good for weed control frequently increases the… BUSINESSWhat smarter, fairer farm data means for UK agricultureThere’s no getting around it — farming across Britain is under intense pressure. Whether you’re in livestock, arable, dairy or horticulture, the challenges are piling up: rising input costs, labour… FARM POLICYNI farm policy shift creates challenges for livestock sectorSupport for farm businesses in Northern Ireland is going through a transition period, away from the old Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) system of support and towards a Farm Sustainability Payment… ARABLEHow cultivated margins help rare plants and biodiversityCultivated margins, or areas of fields that are cultivated annually, but not drilled, are one of the best ways of encouraging rare arable plants and the wildlife that depends on… FARM POLICYNVZ review: Welsh farmer frustration continues with rulesSince 2021, farmers in Wales have had to contend with the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations. These designated the whole of the country as a nitrate vulnerable… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONWhy scrapping net zero could help tackle climate changeFarmers want to play their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions – but net zero is disengaging them, says a report. The finding is just one conclusion reached by a… ENVIRONMENTClean energy 2030 – a government at loggerheads with farmers?The UK government has ambitious plans to increase national energy production to reduce reliance on imports and move towards 100% clean energy by 2030. But for this to become reality,… REGENERATIVE AGRICULTUREWhy trees in hedges improve arable farm landscapesTrees in hedges help with habitat provision and carbon storage, bringing diversity and resilience to the farmed landscape, while providing continuity when hedges are being managed. For farmers and growers… Latest environment newsSee all BIODIVERSITY27 acoustic sensors to monitor pollinators in beet cropsA network of 27 acoustic sensors is being installed at a large farming estate in North Norfolk, as part of a joint project between British Sugar and York-based agri-tech company… NEWSDefra imposes tougher requirements for autumn muckspreadingFarm organisations have expressed relief that autumn muck and slurry spreading will be allowed to continue, but farmers will in future have to provide a much clearer justification for doing… ENVIRONMENTGougeon vows to protect livestock numbers in ScotlandScottish rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon has delivered a firm rebuke of the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) recommendations to cut livestock numbers as part of the nation’s net-zero strategy. Speaking… ARABLECereals 2025: Which environmental actions would farmers keep?Talk at Cereals 2025 about “public money for public goods” being under threat means that growers visiting the event were considering which environmental actions would remain in place on their… ENVIRONMENTHigh Court ruling quashes Shropshire broiler unit plansOpponents to a new broiler shed in Shropshire have welcomed a High Court ruling that overturned planning permission previously granted by the local council. Planning approval for the 200,000-broiler unit… ENVIRONMENTWelsh Labour blocks Tory farmland solar protection planThe Welsh Labour government has voted down a Conservative motion that sought to halt the use of agricultural land for large-scale solar projects. The motion, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives,… FARM POLICYDefra cuts threaten nature recovery, Reeves warnedFarmers and green groups have raised alarm over the potential for deep cuts to Defra’s budget in this week’s Spending Review – with fears that key farm support schemes could… NEWSUK-wide protests held against large-scale solar farmsCampaigners across England and Wales held a nationwide day of action to challenge Labour’s plans to green light large-scale solar farms on productive farmland. Co-ordinated walks were held on Sunday… ENVIRONMENTSouth Downs National Park launches policy consultationFarmers operating within the South Downs National Park will be expected to plant more trees, help clean watercourses, and provide better public access as part of a new Partnership Management… ENVIRONMENTWelsh Conservatives seek farmland solar panel banThe Welsh Conservatives have called for a ban on solar panels on agricultural land, urging the government to review its solar energy policy. The motion will be discussed in the… NEWSEA criticised for going after farmers, not big pollutersMPs have accused the Environment Agency (EA) of unfairly targeting farmers and landowners with enforcement action, while failing to act on serious pollution by big industry and criminal gangs. In… ENVIRONMENTScottish government scraps Galloway national park planThe Scottish government has decided not to proceed with plans to designate a new national park in Galloway, following significant opposition from local communities, farming and land-based organisations. A public… VideoSee all AIR AND WATERVideo: FW Investigates - would dredging reduce flooding?The past few months of relentless wet weather have again highlighted the pressing issue of how best to manage rivers and watercourses near farmland. Heavy rainfall events are becoming more… NEWSVideo: Farmer defends his actions on River LuggA Herefordshire farmer who was jailed for causing damage to a protected river has defended his actions, insisting they helped prevent flooding to local properties and land. Several homes along… SHEEPVideo: How a lowland farm is preparing for low-methane sheepResults from the first UK farm to test methane emissions in sheep using portable accumulation chambers have shown they were producing on average about 20g/day of methane and 1.2kg/day of… CARBONClimate adaptation and resilience within the farm businessOn Thursday 27 April 2023, Farmers Weekly hosted its webinar on climate adaptation and resilience within the farm business with the Woodland Trust. Integrating trees into farming systems provides opportunities…
